Chapter 24: Chen Zhi'an, a Youth from the Streets

The sun waned softly, green mist cleared under the bright sky, and the warblers sang their gentle songs. Since returning from Mount Qixia to the Southern Su Prefecture, Xu Xiyue’s spirits were unusually buoyant.

When she descended the mountain, her master had told her that fame, fortune, and disputes were but illusions—mere dreams—and that truly seeing them was like witnessing a moment that passes in the blink of an eye.

Xu Xiyue believed this to be true: worldly affairs were indeed like dreams, and when viewed rightly, they vanished in an instant.

Yet, even if that moment is fleeting, how could ordinary people simply let go?

Take her father, for instance—he had spent his life selling medicine. Now seriously ill, even the most precious remedies barely helped. Yet despite his frailty, this man who had risen from nothing could not abandon the legacy he had built.

Perhaps because his lifetime’s achievement was all he had; though fame and fortune were illusions, he refused to awaken from his dream.

For this reason, Xu Xiyue had deliberately left the mountain and taken up the burden of the Xu family business, only to be stifled by the weight of mundane troubles.

Only today, when the three herbs—Buddha’s Armor, Rare Agarwood Leaves, and Golden Lantern Silks—were rated top-grade in the Songhuai Army’s supply accounts, did she finally feel some relief.

Looking upon this spring day anew, she found the Southern Su Prefecture bathed in gentle warmth. The ice on Clearwater Lake melted slowly; willow buds sprouted fresh branches; swallows carried mud to build their nests—all signs of vibrant life.

With this rare joy, Xu Xiyue made her way to Qihuang Street and knocked on Chen Zhian’s courtyard door.

Having been rebuffed several times, Xin Tong usually harbored some dislike for Chen Zhian, yet today she stood dutifully behind Xu Xiyue, holding two carefully wrapped gifts.

Chen Zhian opened the door, and despite carrying heavy packages, Xin Tong bowed politely.

Xu Xiyue looked at Chen Zhian’s calm, unassuming face and asked, “Young Master Chen, have you eaten?”

Chen Zhian smiled. “You come at an odd time. I ate a bit earlier today, so you missed lunch.”

Xu Xiyue was momentarily taken aback but quickly shook her head. “We didn’t come to freeload. I specifically came before noon to invite you to a meal—I’ve reserved a table at Little South Country on Dongfeng Street.”

“Little South Country?” Chen Zhian narrowed his eyes. “The place where a meal costs over ten taels of silver?”

Xu Xiyue was unaware of the restaurant’s prices and glanced back at Xin Tong.

Xin Tong nodded hastily. “Little South Country is indeed more expensive. If you order the better dishes, a meal can cost over ten taels.”

“Unfortunately, I’ve already eaten,” Chen Zhian said, inviting them inside. “Otherwise, I would have liked to see what a ten-tael meal looks like.”

Xin Tong sneaked a glance, secretly displeased. A few days ago, she had eaten Chen Zhian’s stir-fried duck with two vegetable dishes and a bowl of noodles, yet had left five taels behind.

In fact, dining at Chen Zhian’s was even more costly than Little South Country.

“Yesterday... I must also thank Young Master Chen,” Xu Xiyue said. “I wasn’t sure how to repay you, so I brought two gifts.”

Xin Tong stepped forward, presenting two boxes while explaining, “One is Moon-Envying Snow Bud, tribute tea from Mingyue Province, produced in limited quantities—just over ten jin annually. Most goes to the capital, but these two jin were specially procured by my father, who had planned to seek buyers in the capital at a high price.”

“Unfortunately, with his illness, he could not go, so these two jin remain.”

“The other is a famous wine from Beili called ‘Unenvying Fate.’ It is said that drinking it is like walking on clouds—worthy of a true immortal.”

Xin Tong detailed the gifts at length.

Chen Zhian listened and suddenly asked, “Miss Xu, did you prepare these gifts yourself?”

Xu Xiyue paused before answering, “I don’t know much about fine tea or wine. These were personally chosen by my father—both as thanks and apology. He has already punished my cousin.”

Chen Zhian laughed heartily. “I was merely entrusted by someone. Miss Xu need not be so formal.”

“Entrusted by someone?” Xu Xiyue’s eyes searched his face with curiosity.

Chen Zhian’s expression remained unchanged. “Someone asked me to deliver those three kinds of seeds to Miss Xu. Within the coming month, he will prepare a hundred seeds each—three hundred in total—for the Xu family, in exchange for some medicinal herbs.”

Xu Xiyue blinked.

With half a year until the next supply of herbs, Buddha’s Armor and Rare Agarwood Leaves mature quickly and grow in clusters. One hundred seeds, along with medicinal fluids to accelerate growth, would suffice to cultivate many.

Only the Golden Lantern Silks had a long growth cycle of one season. With just a hundred seeds, supply might be insufficient.

“And... who is this person?” Xu Xiyue wondered, but seeing Chen Zhian’s usual calm face, she found the matter odd.

She did not press further, instead asking, “What medicinal herbs does this person require?”

Chen Zhian unceremoniously pulled a scrap of paper from his sleeve.

Xu Xiyue took it, reading carefully. Her expression shifted slightly.

“Water Gentleman, Great Polygonatum, White Snake Fruit, Eshan Tiger Bone, Coiling Dragon Four-Leaf Branch, Winter’s Absence, Demon Bone Amber, Imperial Silkworm’s First Thread...”

The names were neatly listed. Xu Xiyue read through, taking a deep breath.

“These herbs... are quite precious.”

“Can the Xu family not find them?”

“Yes, if I recall, five or six are already in our stores. The others are harder to source, but fortunately, the surrounding five or six prefectures have many medicinal families. I’ll have people communicate to gather them—it won’t be difficult.”

Looking at the list, she agreed, “We will have all these herbs within seven days.”

“Seven days is just right,” Chen Zhian was pleased.

“What else do you require, Young Master Chen?” Xu Xiyue asked again. “If you need herbs in the future, just notify me. The Xu family will do our utmost.”

Chen Zhian did not decline.

He knew this military medicine contract was crucial to the Xu family’s survival.

By delivering the three new seed types, he effectively saved the Xu family’s future business. No matter how demanding he was, the Xu family could not refuse.

Yet he played it cool, nodding. “If the person who entrusts me to deliver herbs needs anything else, I will let you know.”

Chen Zhian felt his cultivation was not profound enough, and human hearts were unpredictable. He had to be cautious, creating the illusion of a mysterious benefactor. Even if the Xu family harbored ill intentions, they would still be wary.

Xin Tong glanced at this seemingly ordinary youth with envy, wishing Chen Zhian truly knew such a master.

After a moment’s silence, Xu Xiyue said, “Young Master Chen, the past few days of disturbance were the Xu family’s fault.”

Chen Zhian understood she meant the embroidered ball incident. He shook his head casually. “The Xu family is a noble household. Miss Xu should find a suitable match—why resort to throwing embroidered balls? I did not mean to catch the ball, and I am but a commoner, unworthy of the Xu family’s name.”

“A commoner?” Xu Xiyue glanced around the tidy courtyard, where pear blossoms still lingered pristine.

Apart from its cleanliness, it resembled an ordinary home.

But was Chen Zhian truly just a commoner?

She pondered this silently.

Just then, Chen Zhian asked curiously, “I heard Miss Xu once practiced on Mount Qixia. There is said to be an immortal there—is this true?”

Xu Xiyue nodded. “Not a true immortal, but a woman who long ago subdued a troublesome dragon on Mount Qixia. The dragon breathed clouds and mist daily, cloaking the mountain in ethereal fog, making it seem like a fairyland.”

“Over time, the humble cottage in the mist became known as an immortal’s abode, and its occupant was called an immortal.”

“There are many reputed immortals in the world—the Five Thunder Lords of Luofuhai, the Great Real Persons of the Wuliu Mountains, even our Great Yu’s Kui Star and the Dark Robe Sword Saint of Great Qian. All are called immortals.”

Chen Zhian’s curiosity deepened. “Are there really dragons in this world?”

“There are,” Xu Xiyue answered solemnly. “On Mount Qixia, there is a senior brother of unknown origin who raises a young dragon. This dragon can transform, even becoming a long sword.”

“My master said that sword is called Summoning Rain, and it is recorded on the Ancient Weapon Monument.”

Chen Zhian clicked his tongue in admiration, his curiosity about the world growing.

After some time, Xu Xiyue tilted her head and asked, “Young Master Chen, I’ve always felt that when you accepted Zhou Xiujing’s two hundred taels of gold, it was not out of greed.”

“Who doesn’t like money?” Chen Zhian replied shyly. “Two hundred taels of gold—that’s two thousand taels of silver. As a minor servant, I could never earn that much in a lifetime.”

Xu Xiyue stubbornly shook her head. “Ordinary people, even those hardened by the world, would likely squander such a fortune at once.”

“But I’ve seen you with this money for days, yet you live frugally and haven’t bought a single new garment. That is rare.”

“I’ve always been frugal,” Chen Zhian said. “But Miss Chen’s words remind me I should get some new clothes when I have time.”

Xu Xiyue studied him carefully before rising.

Looking at the pear blossoms filling the courtyard, she said unexpectedly, “I feel there are many secrets hidden within you, Young Master Chen.”

“For example, the meal I ate at your place—besides its delicate flavor, shortly after eating, warmth surged through my body, as if I had consumed a miraculous elixir.”

Xin Tong, standing nearby, eagerly nodded. “Indeed. After eating at Young Master Chen’s, I felt much lighter.”

Chen Zhian offered no explanation.

He escorted them to the door. As Xu Xiyue bid farewell, she said, “Perhaps Young Master Chen’s origins are not as simple as a youth from Qihuang Street, and perhaps those seeds do not truly come from the master you mentioned.”

Chen Zhian watched the two depart, disappearing down the narrow alley.

A light rain began to fall. He suddenly recalled rumors about Miss Xu.

A year ago, she abruptly left Southern Su Prefecture for Mount Qixia in Zangding Prefecture, where she practiced cultivation inexplicably.

In just a year, upon returning, she had reached the Divine Essence realm.

Many said she had cultivated long before in Southern Su Prefecture.

But recently, Shen Haohau, who dined at their home, reminisced about the time on Mount Qixia and her first meeting with Xu Xiyue.

“She had been on the mountain for over three months but had not practiced cultivation.”

“When I met Sister Xiyue again in Xuantian Capital, she had already attained Divine Essence.”

Chen Zhian closed the door, thinking, “Miss Xu of the Xu family is no ordinary young lady.”

—

In the Zhou family’s secondary residence, Zhou Xiujing rubbed his forehead, his face darkening as a black-clad servant reported from nearby.

“Why is Xu Xiyue visiting Chen Zhian’s courtyard on Qihuang Street?”

“Chen Zhian accepted two hundred taels of gold—does he still crave more?”

Behind him, a burly man spoke softly, “Young master, just leave it to me. Why trouble yourself?”

Zhou Xiujing shook his head. “Since we serve a noble in the capital, this must be handled properly.”

“Random violence on the street would be too disgraceful.”

“I’ve already arranged everything.”

“He took two hundred taels of gold but did not keep his promise. Still entangled with the Xu family, he must bear the weight of that gold.”

“Two hundred taels of gold is enough to crush him.”